that He looks like man (John 4:24). It means that when God made man and woman, He endowed them with minds, emotions, and will. Humans are rational, moral beings with an inherent God-consciousness. However, in revealing Himself to mankind, God describes
Himself in the male gender using terms such as Father, Son, Bridegroom, etc. Those who consider God to be female and call Him "Mother" are engaging in idolatry. To change who God has revealed Himself to be is to create a god in their own image.
CHAPTER 4 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare to you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known to you all things which are done here.
"When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without words than thy words be without heart."
10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandments: if he come to you, receive him;) 11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers to the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he has a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul.
Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.
4:3,4 Paul asks the Colossian church to pray that God would open doors of opportunity for him to evangelize. Reaching out to the unsaved was the apostle's number one priority (see Romans 9:1–3). He often uses the phrase "as I ought to speak." He didn't see evangelism as a ministry only for people with a "gift" to reach the unsaved; he saw it as a moral responsibility, as each of us should. The only "gift" we need for evangelizing is the Holy Spirit, and every born-again believer has received Him.
4:4 Witnessing to telemarketers. If you are ever bugged by telemarketers, take the opportunity to share your faith. Simply say,
"May I ask you a question?" Telemarketers will usually say yes. Ask, "Have you kept the Ten Commandments?" Then ask, "Have you ever told a lie?" Most admit to at least telling
"fibs" or "white lies." When they admit it, ask what that makes them. If they refuse to call themselves a liar, say, "If I told a lie, what would I be called?" When they say, "Liar," ask, "Have you ever stolen something, even if it's small?" Be gentle and loving in your tone.
Then say, "Jesus said that if you look with lust, you commit adultery in your heart. Have you ever looked with lust?"
Don't be afraid to inquire how they will do on Judgment Day—will they be innocent or guilty...heaven or hell? The worst thing that can happen is that they hang up in your ear. If that happens, you can rejoice that they were convicted enough to do so. You not only had the privilege of planting the seed of God's
Word in the heart of a stranger, but you proved yourself to be faithful to the Lord; you conquered the fear of man; and now you can rejoice that you were rejected for the sake of righteousness. If they hang up, spend a moment in prayer for them. If they are open to hearing more, take them through the cross, repentance, and faith. Ask if they have a Bible at home, encourage them to read it daily, and then thank them for listening to you.
4:5,6 This is the spirit in which we should share our faith. See 1 Thessalonians 5:14.
4:12 Transforming prayer. "Prayer can move mountains. It can change human hearts, families, neighborhoods, cities, and nations.
It's the ultimate source of power because it is, in reality, the power of Almighty God.
"Prayer can do what political action cannot, what education cannot, what military might cannot, and what planning committees cannot. All these are impotent by comparison.
"By prayer the kingdom of God is built, and by prayer the kingdom of Satan is destroyed. Where there is no prayer, there are no great works, and there is no building of the kingdom. Where there is much prayer and fervent prayer, there are great gains for the kingdom: God's rule is established, His power is directed, His will is done, society is transformed, lost persons are saved, and saints are enabled to 'stand against the devil's schemes' (Eph. 6:11). If that isn't enough to compel us to 'devote [ourselves] to prayer' and 'always [wrestle] in prayer' (Col.
4:2,12), I don't know what is!" Alvin J.
Vander Griend, "Your Prayers Matter,"